Open Primaries Heads Growing List of Urgent Political Reforms

In a study done by Harvard Kennedy School Lecturer Elaine C. Kamarck and Brookings Institution Senior Fellow William A. Galston, a conclusion was drawn that changing the way we elect our leaders could reduce the "polarization" of American politics. The key to doing this they say: Opening up primaries to everyone instead of restricting it by party affiliation.

OPEN PRIMARIES

• Report Examines Political Partisans (By ARIANE LITALIEN, Harvard Crimson) According to Galston and Kamarck, one way to reduce extremism in American politics is to open primaries to all voters instead of restraining them to members of particular political parties.

ILLINOIS

• No Surprises: Rahm Wins in Chicago - The suits remain firmly in control of the Windy City. What does Emanuel’s victory mean for urban progressive politics? (By DAVID MOBERG, In These Times) Reformers in Chicago in the ’60s and ’70s called themselves “independents,” un-bought by and opposed to machine rule. With the Washington movement, progressives identified as fighting for the interests of neighborhoods and communities… But under Daley II the progressive forces—political reformers, community organizations, neighborhood development groups, civil rights organizations and others—weakened, more often soliciting modest help from Daley than posing real challenges.
• Candidates not done in 14 wards, could get assist from Emanuel (By Abdon M. Pallasch and Fran Spielman, Chicago Sun Times) In the South Side’s 20th Ward, grammy-winning hip hop artist Che “Rhymefest” Smith, 33, managed to force freshman Ald. Willie Cochran into a run-off. “I believe that, because I’m an artist, my ability to think creatively, my ability to communicate, allows me to be a more effective advocate for my community when I speak on their behalf in the City Council.”

NEW YORK

• EXCERPT Winners & Losers, Feb. 25 edition (By City Hall) Pigeon has found new life working on Golisano's National Popular Vote campaign

VERMONT

• Procedural Victory in Vermont Ballot Access Lawsuit (Ballot Access News) Until 2010, the Vermont independent candidate petition deadline had been in September, but the 2010 session of the legislature made it drastically earlier than it had been.